Australia’s selection chairman John Inverarity, along with tour selectors skipper Michael Clarke and coach Mickey Arthur, faces two major problems.
The more serious is whether the second Test at Hyderabad goes ahead next Saturday, after two bomb blasts last Thursday night killed 15 people.
And if the Test does get underway, the second issue is how to balance the baggy green line-up far better than the current Test at Chennai.
To go in with four quicks and just one recognised spinner on that track was, and is, suicidal.
MS Dhoni put the attack to the sword overnight with a commanding and career high 206 not out, after Sachin Tendulkar (81) and Virat Kohli (107) had laid the foundation.
Leading by 138 on the first dig with two wickets in hand and as many days to play, Dhoni has made sure only India can win this first of four Tests, as Australia will never get the hosts out twice with the bowlers they have on duty.
Three quicks max and two recognised spinners, with Clarke and part-time leggie David Warner to chip in as required, is not enough.
First up, bring back the 19-year-old left-arm spinner Ashton Agar who is still officially in the squad, even though he wasn’t selected.
Agar was sent on a development mission to India after just three Sheffield Shield games for Western Australia, and was the most impressive of all the spinners in the only two warm-up games.
Then Inverarity sent him home where he went within a sniff of winning the man of the match award against Tasmania with 13 and 71 not out, with 3-47 off 14 and 1-52 off 17.
Agar was instrumental in the West winning by two wickets, especially his unbeaten 71.
Bad call sending Agar home.
Agar must play in Hyderabad with Nathan Lyon, as he is a far better proposition than Xavier Doherty, and Glenn Maxwell.
And Shane Watson must open the batting. Full stop.
The next question – what to do with Ed Cowan and Phil Hughes?
Bat Cowan at three to steady the ship if an early wicket falls from the two dashers, or bat Hughes at three to keep the scoreboard turning over quickly.
Like the latter leaving the top order as Watson, Warner, Hughes, Cowan, and Clarke.
Moises Henriques can’t be dropped after his debut 68 in Chennai, and he’s a better bet at six than keeper Matt Wade, who drops down to seven.
The last four?
Pacemen Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle are so far wicketless between their 47 overs, rest them for the second Test.
Retain James Pattinson after his 4-89 so far off 26, all bowled, to team up with Jackson Bird who should have been on duty in Chennai.
So there’s the batting order for Hyderabad if the Test stays there – Watson, Warner, Hughes, Cowan, Clarke, Henriques, Wade, Pattinson, Agar, Bird, and Lyon.
That’s more like it.
Bearfax
Guest
David. The problem with selections is that they have tried everyone but Smith and Khawaja and have been thumped. There are no more shiny pieces in the kitty. A smart selector may very well bring out some one like O'Keefe and Agar. Then again Micky may follow his heart again and bring out Shaun Marsh and Quiney. Seems to me the cupboard is bare. Mind you the selection decisions so far have been somewhat confusing to everyone, including the players and probably themselves for that matter. But as I see it Australia has two areas in which they can make a major correction, those being the first four batsmen and the spinners.. Probably wont win the remaining matches, but should get them closer. If Watson is returning to Oz I would bring out O'Keefe and Rogers The batting line up should be Warner Rogers Hughes Clark Khawaja Henriques Wade Pattinson Starc (or Siddle) O'Keefe Lyon Siddle (12th man) You have then strengthened your first four by bringing in Rogers (av 50) and Clarke up the order. Khawaja then has time to develop at 5, and we have two spinners who just may give India problems. And note only one all rounder.
Tony
Guest
For the 3rd Test,with Watson and Bird coming back to Australia.Bring Hartley and Nathan Haritz into the squadMy test linup would be...Warner,Hughes,Kawaja,Clarke,Henriques,Wade(as a batsman),Hartley,Starc,Hauritz,Lyon,Siddle.
iambunney
Guest
Here! Here! Some expert. Two spinners yes, but not Doherty, Maxwell or Smith. So one spinner. OR, the NSP apologises for their massive blunder of leaving the ONLY performing spinner in the country - Stephen O'Keefe - and buys him a ticket to Dehli asap. And I'm a cockroach hating Qld'er - SOK deserves selection in the squad at a minimum. Then, how bout we look at other glaring issues, such as the inability of our only 'keeper on tour to catch a ball. I never rated Haddin's catching ability too highly, but he wasn't that bad. But here's an idea - how about picking an ACTUAL keeper, not just a batsman who does that job?? Ian Healy recently nominated Chris Hartley as the most technically correct - either he or Haddin would be better than Wade right now. Cowan and Hughes are surely on borrowed time - PLEASE young batsman of Australia - hit multiple centuries in the next few Shield games and DEMAND selection, because Cowan especially is only still there because no one else is shouting "Look at me!" Finally, Watto, I've been a big fan of yours for many years now- please show some mental strength and hit a century when we need you to. And please stop getting out straight before a break!
DingoGray
Roar Guru
"I'd Still pick one spinner" You sure you don't want to readdress this comment? India picked 4 spinners in their squad of 12! And very much once Tendulkar retires will regularly pick 4 spinners in India. Australia needs to just bite the bullet and play our 2nd spinner and maybe even a third part timer when Watson goes home. The conditions mean you have to vary your plans.
Bearfax
Guest
PJ is having a little fun with us, arent you PJ Dan Cullen: First class batting average: 15.75. First class bowling average: 44.28 Cullum Bailey: First class batting average: 21.36. First class bowling average: 49.46 Your right PJ. Perfect selection fit for Invers and Micky for the Ashes. My worry PJ is that they might take you serously.
PJ
Guest
Dan Cullen & Callum Bailey anyone......
The Barry
Roar Guru
Great news...what has he been doing for the past two years ? How many shield games has he played ? Sounds like cramming the night before a big exam instead of working hard for the two years leading up to it (believe me I know !) I really like watching Starc and I reckon he'll develop into a really good test player but he hasn't been doing himself any favours by not playing longer forms of cricket.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Totally agree on Clarke at 4. 5 is too low for our best batsman by far.
jameswm
Roar Guru
From what I saw Henriques bowled well - our 2nd best quick. I'd go like this Pattinson 9 Clarke 8 Henriques 8 Warner 5 Lyon 3 Starc 3 Siddle 3 Cowan 3 Watson 3 Wade 3 Hughes 1 Sad that only 4 get above 3, and I might be being nice to Warner.
John Edgar
Guest
Yes Cowan has to go, Watson, Warner, Hughes, Clarke, Khawaja for the second test.
John Edgar
Guest
I say drop Cowan and get Khawaja, Moses has done very well.
John Edgar
Guest
Cowan should be dropped, failed to capitalise on his start again and his dropped catch cost us dearly, Watson should open and Khawaja to come in at 5. And for crying out loud move Clarke up to 4 for this series.
ronedog
Guest
Haha wow! Your "Expert" status just just been revoked by popular demand. And if this Agar comment wasn't bad enough, look no further than the suggestion of batting Cowan at 4, despite him being an absolute specialist opener. Cowan either opens or doesn't play.
Renegade
Guest
LOL by all means, go for it champ! By the way, how many tests in India have you played? ;)
AndyMack
Guest
cos he is a groundskeeper...
AndyMack
Guest
ROC i guess he is making the call on someone being a part of the inner circle who does not know about playing in India. So i can understand to some extent the comment.
AndyMack
Guest
name calling Renegade???? Shall we review all your comments now....???
aussie1st
Roar Pro
We can dream.
lolly
Guest
Why does anyone assume that Khawaja would have been any better against spin on this pitch? I've seen little to think he would have been any better than Watson.
lolly
Guest
Are you suggesting that we drop one of the only two players who 1) is in form and 2) doesn't look befuddled by spin? Ok...